An Eden Health Services Survey was launched in September 2025.

The survey asked residents about their experiences when accessing healthcare services. A total of 267 survey responses were received from community members, representing 7.8% of the 3,425 residents living in Eden and the surrounding areas.

• 78% of people said they have difficulty accessing the healthcare they need at times. Most of these people said they had trouble getting an appointment with a doctor (GP) when they needed one. Others found it difficult to afford some health appointments.
• The survey showed that most people travel beyond Eden to access some of the health services they need. In fact, one in every two people travelled beyond the Bega Valley in the past 12 months to access healthcare. Many people said this extra travel made it difficult to get the help they needed.
• The vast majority of people who used an ambulance service from Eden had a good experience.
• One alternative to travel that many people in Eden are using is telehealth. Two out of five people used a telehealth service in the last 12 months. The vast majority of these telehealth appointments were with a GP. Satisfaction with telehealth was generally high among those who used these services, but many people still want to have face-to-face health appointments.
• Mental health services are also important to the Eden community. People who accessed mental health services wanted improved wait times, more available services, and free services.

You can download a copy of the survey report below.

Here are the ten most common responses from health professionals in your community.

1. There are not enough healthcare workers, and it is hard to keep staff.
2. Services are limited, and some people have less access to care than others.
3. Transport issues and long distances make it difficult for people to get to services.
4. The health system is not well connected, making it hard for services to work together.
5. There is not enough funding, and policies can restrict what services can do.
6. Some communities face economic hardship and cultural barriers that affect their health.
7. There is a strong need to focus more on prevention and community-based healthcare.
8. Buildings, equipment, and facilities are often inadequate or outdated.
9. Trust, clear communication, and culturally safe care need to be improved.
10. Local communities want solutions that are designed for their specific needs.